# The 1904 Summer Olympics and Archery Overview

The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, were held in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. This event marked the first time that the Olympic Games were held outside of Europe. Among the variety of sports featured at these games, archery was included, making a significant impact on the history of Olympic archery competitions. 

## The Context of 1904 Olympics

The 1904 Summer Olympics were conducted as part of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair, which celebrated the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase. Due to the remote location and the difficulties of international travel at the time, participation was predominantly American, with 526 of the 651 athletes from the United States. This unique circumstance significantly influenced all the competitions, including archery.

## Archery Competitions in 1904

Archery at the 1904 Olympics featured six events, with competitions spread out from September 19 to September 23. These events were:
1. Double York Round - men
2. Double American Round - men
3. Team Round - men
4. Double Columbia Round - women
5. Double National Round - women
6. Team Round - women

The 1904 Olympics were notable for being the first in which women competed in archery. The events were held at the Francis Field, which is now part of Washington University in St. Louis.

## The Second Olympic Medalist in Archery

The second Olympic medalist in archery from the United States was probably a member of one of the team competitions. Given the predominantly American field and the structure of the events, the team rounds were competitive and showcased considerable talent. The American teams, well-practiced and familiar with the local conditions, dominated the proceedings. The individual archers who were part of these teams came from various parts of the United States and were among the early pioneers in the sport.

While the 1904 records do not extensively detail every participant, the team events' medalists can be traced through team participation. Notably, the men's team round and the women's team round were won by teams composed entirely of American archers. Due to the formatting of records from these early Olympics, determining the exact "second" individual medalist is complex; however, it is certain that this title would have belonged to a member of these American teams.

## Legacy

The importance of the 1904 Olympics for archery, and, indeed, for the entire Olympic movement, cannot be understated. It was a stepping stone for the sport's Olympic journey, which has seen growth and changes in gender representation, equipment, and international competitiveness. Moreover, by hosting the Games and demonstrating marked dominance in events like archery, the United States solidified its place in the Olympics' future editions.

Overall, while detailed records may not perfectly outline individual prowess in early Olympic archery events, the contributions of these early athletes helped set the stage for future generations in the sport. The archers of the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, thus, hold a special place not only in the archives of Olympic history but in the broader story of archery as a competitive and respected discipline.